Greenville Center for Creative Arts (GCCA) is one of seven community organizations that received funding yesterday as part of Greenville Women Giving’s annual grant program. GCCA received a project grant for $84,183 to improve security, visibility, accessibility, and the visitor experience at the Art Center.

This announcement comes on the heels of GCCA’s fifth birthday on May 1, 2020, during which the Art Center hosted a virtual celebration of this milestone with a live painting from a current member of the Brandon Fellowship program, the launch of Zoom art classes, and an online gallery featuring the work of its studio artists.

“On behalf of the board, staff, and members of Greenville Center for Creative Arts, I would like to express our joy and gratitude to Greenville Women Giving for their generous gift enabling us to make greatly needed improvements at the Art Center,” said Patricia Kilburg, board chair and founder of GCCA. “We are truly honored to be one of the grant recipients for 2020, knowing the goal is to fund projects that will create positive change in the community. As board chair and as a working artist, I know what a significant impact this gift will make for our programs and for providing a safe and positive experience for our artists, students, and visitors who love and appreciate art.”

Since opening its doors in 2015, GCCA has welcomed tens of thousands of artists and arts enthusiasts of all ages for exhibitions, classes, summer camps, and special events. It has also forged collaborations with nearby neighborhood organizations, such as the Center for Educational Equity and the Freetown Community Center, to remove economic barriers for underserved children and adults.

Located in the Historic Brandon Mill in West Greenville, GCCA recognized that its building required key facility upgrades to create a more safe, secure, and welcoming environment. Specifically, the Greenville Women Giving investment will be used to provide enhanced exterior lighting, a handicap-accessible entrance, exterior signage, and upgrades to gallery flooring and lighting.

“These improvements will ensure that GCCA is a place where residents and visitors alike can find common ground, cross boundaries, and overcome barriers as they participate in and enjoy the arts,” explained Kim Fabian, GCCA’s executive director. “This tremendous gift from Greenville Women Giving will go a long way in helping us forward our vision to build an engine for creativity and community building in Greenville—and beyond.”